SOG nets another accused in constable exam scam

Jaipur: The Special Operations Group (SOG) of Rajasthan police Monday arrested a man in connection with the alleged manipulation of the 2017 Rajasthan Police constable recruitment examination through remote access to computers at an examination centre, officials said.

SOG identified the accused as Kanaram, alleging that he played a role in helping a beneficiary candidate clear the online examination through collusion at the test centre. Investigators said the arrest is linked to a larger conspiracy involving manipulation of computer systems during the recruitment process.

According to SOG, the case dates back to March 2018, when a representative of the agency conducting the online recruitment examination lodged a complaint alleging that operators of an examination centre and their associates formed an organised network to provide undue advantage to select candidates. The complaint alleged that computer systems at the centre were remotely accessed and tampered with during the examination.

Investigators said evidence collected during the probe, including CCTV footage and statements of arrested accused, revealed that a beneficiary candidate was shifted from his allotted seat to another computer terminal during the examination held on March 9, 2018.

SOG alleged that after the candidate was moved, the computer was logged off and reconfigured using a pen drive. Investigators claim software was installed to enable remote access, allowing the examination paper to be solved from a separate location outside the test centre.

Officials said the investigation found that Kanaram was involved in facilitating the arrangement through which the candidate received assistance during the examination.

The agency said 34 accused have been arrested so far in the case. Further investigation is under way to identify others who may have colluded at the examination centre and assisted in the alleged recruitment scam.